URI graduate produces Pearl Harbor documentary, gets Tom Selleck to narrate

The documentary will debut on December 4 in a World War II hangar at Pearl Harbor.
The documentary will debut on December 4 in a World War II hangar at Pearl Harbor. | shutterstock
Tim Gray, a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, recently wrote, directed and produced a documentary for the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

To narrate the film, Gray approached Tom Selleck.

“I just asked, and he said yes,’’ Gray said. “Right away. Tom was the first person I thought of to narrate since he has a strong connection to Hawaii from his 'Magnum, P.I.' days (the series was filmed there), was in the National Guard when he was younger and, simply, has a great voice.’’

Gray, a journalism major at URI, has spent the last 10 years interviewing World War II veterans and including their stories in his award-winning films. His latest work is the documentary titled “Remember Pearl Harbor.”

Getting Selleck to narrate was a great honor for him.

“He knew how important this project is and was nothing short of phenomenal to deal with,’’ Gray said. “Just a great guy who understood the significance of the project. We had time to talk about other things as well — his love for the Detroit Tigers and his strong interest in the stories of World War II.’’

The film will debut on Dec. 4 at Pearl Harbor.